Ok, before anyone tears me up it's my first post I know but I have a simple question. I'm from the area, but recently moved to filthadelphia for medical school (sorry Pitt was just too hard to get into to) and was looking for a way to watch some games this year. I have family members with season tickets so I'll get to see a few around Christmas, but what is th/e best way for out-of-towners to get to watch games on TV during the season? I heard Directv blacks out their Sports Package so Center Ice is the way to go, but is there any other way? Any help would be appreciated.

Directv Center Ice is the best option, but I know some folks have signed up for the "on-line" Center Ice.

Not sure how well that works, or whether there are any other black-outs rules on the web, but you might look into that alternative. I'm assuming you need broadband and a PC with a good monitor for that to be viable.

Seriously, Center Ice and the Sports package (including Fox regional) is the way to go if you are not in the Pittsburgh area . Who you get it from is up to you. I'm a long time Direct TV subscriber though. Weird stuff I hear with living in Philly for what area you can get blacked out for sporting events. Particularly football usually. So try to find another pens fan there to confirm the best option.

But seriously, if you can order NHL Center Ice through cable or satellite, you'll be vary happy. I did it for the last two years and it was fantastic. The online version isn't that great in quality, but you could check it out with the free preview they offer at the beginning of the season.

Patches O'Hoolihan wrote:Ok, before anyone tears me up it's my first post I know but I have a simple question. I'm from the area, but recently moved to filthadelphia for medical school (sorry Pitt was just too hard to get into to) and was looking for a way to watch some games this year. I have family members with season tickets so I'll get to see a few around Christmas, but what is th/e best way for out-of-towners to get to watch games on TV during the season? I heard Directv blacks out their Sports Package so Center Ice is the way to go, but is there any other way? Any help would be appreciated.

You left Pittsburgh for Philadelphia? Sorry can't help you.

In all seriousness though at least you have a good excuse. My brother graduates from Pitt as a Pharmacist, then decides to move to Johnstown? Now he wants to move to Philly just for the heck of it. His main reason is for the historical landmarks.

Patches O'Hoolihan wrote:Ok, before anyone tears me up it's my first post I know but I have a simple question. I'm from the area, but recently moved to filthadelphia for medical school (sorry Pitt was just too hard to get into to) and was looking for a way to watch some games this year. I have family members with season tickets so I'll get to see a few around Christmas, but what is th/e best way for out-of-towners to get to watch games on TV during the season? I heard Directv blacks out their Sports Package so Center Ice is the way to go, but is there any other way? Any help would be appreciated.

i lived in philly for this past season and did the center ice thing. the only thing that sucks is if the pens are playing on the nhlnetwork, the games were blacked out (comcast).

I thought about getting a slingbox and running that setup, but I'm renting a room in a condo with a classmate and since he owns the place I really can't do anything like that. He already had Comcast ordered and everything too, so I guess I'm turning to CenterIce for the season. Does anyone know any prices ordering through Comcast? I couldn't find anything on their website, still says the package is out of season.

I have a buddy out here that lives about a mile away with a plasma that got Sunday Ticket in HD through Directv, so catchin Steelers games won't be a problem.

Anyone know of any good sports bars out this way? I heard a place called Chickie and Petes is supposed to be alright, and I've been to the Fox and the Hound up in Grove City before, had a pretty decent time.

Patches O'Hoolihan wrote:I thought about getting a slingbox and running that setup, but I'm renting a room in a condo with a classmate and since he owns the place I really can't do anything like that. He already had Comcast ordered and everything too, so I guess I'm turning to CenterIce for the season. Does anyone know any prices ordering through Comcast? I couldn't find anything on their website, still says the package is out of season.

I have a buddy out here that lives about a mile away with a plasma that got Sunday Ticket in HD through Directv, so catchin Steelers games won't be a problem.

Anyone know of any good sports bars out this way? I heard a place called Chickie and Petes is supposed to be alright, and I've been to the Fox and the Hound up in Grove City before, had a pretty decent time.

Last I recall it was about $190 per season but I can't say for sure. It just renews for me year after year and they put it on my bill in 4 payments.

Daniel87 wrote:In all seriousness though at least you have a good excuse. My brother graduates from Pitt as a Pharmacist, then decides to move to Johnstown? Now he wants to move to Philly just for the heck of it. His main reason is for the historical landmarks.

And just what is wrong with Johnstown? Downtown may not be great, but there are a lot of great areas considered in the "Greater Johnstown" area.

Daniel87 wrote:In all seriousness though at least you have a good excuse. My brother graduates from Pitt as a Pharmacist, then decides to move to Johnstown? Now he wants to move to Philly just for the heck of it. His main reason is for the historical landmarks.

And just what is wrong with Johnstown? Downtown may not be great, but there are a lot of great areas considered in the "Greater Johnstown" area.

Bob McKenzie wrote:Have someone set up a slingbox for you back in Pittsburgh...

Damn, i never even thought about that. now i'm intrigued about the possibilities.

I have one set up at my house. 1. when I travel I can watch the Pens games from anywhere 2. my aunt lives in Cali and wants to watch the Steelers games that are not nationally broadcase.
Plus, I can watch anything on demand and anything on my DVR.
It's really nice and the quality is excellent.

You view them on your computer so it's not like you will be hogging the TV like you would with center ice.